ORGANIC BIOMOLECULES
Leonor Redondo
The polymers are macromolecules formed by monomers which are molecules of low
molecular mass.
PROTEINS:
Proteins are the most abundant organic molecule in our body. This is because most
of the functions that our body carries out require proteins.
The main elements (CHONPS) that form proteins are: Carbón, Hydrogen, Oxygen
and Nitrogen.
And depending on the qualities of the protein (R= SIDE CHAIN): Phosphorus or
Sulfide.
FUNCTIONS OF THE PROTEINS->
STRUCTURAL FUNCTION
Proteins provide support and structure to cells and tissues. (Create structures).
- Examples: The collagen (Molecule) is an example, it forms the structure of
the tendons, the ears... Other parts made mainly by proteins with a structural
function in our body are hair, nails, etc.
TRANSPORT FUNCTION
Some proteins are responsible for transporting essential molecules within the body.
- Example:For example, hemoglobin in red blood cells, it transports oxygen and
carbon dioxide.
DEFENSIVE FUNCTION
Proteins play a key role in the immune system.
, - Example: Antibodies are proteins that identify and neutralize pathogens such
as bacteria and viruses. They have the
complementary shape of the ‘’keys’’ of the
viruses (the viruses use these kinds of ‘’keys’’ to
infect our cells)and they neutralize them by
changing the shape of these ‘’keys’’.
REGULATORY FUNCTION
Some proteins are in charge of regulating gene expression.
How do they regulate gene expression?
They are proteins that bind to specific DNA
sequences near to genes to activate or inhibit their
transcription.
HORMONAL FUNCTION
Some hormones are proteins (Hormonal proteins). The function of these types of
proteins is to send ‘’messages’’ from one place to another of the body to produce a
reaction in our body.
- Example: Insulin regulates blood glucose levels.
ENZYMATIC FUNCTION: Enzymes are proteins that act as biocatalysts,
meaning that they catalyze chemical reactions within the body, this means they
accelerate chemical reactions in our body. Enzymes can also break bonds between the
molecules of a substrate.(Chemical reactions last a long time because they need the
right temperature, enough energy, the right position to coalesce, etc so the enzymes
are very important to allow life.)
- Example: For example, the amylase.
Leonor Redondo
The polymers are macromolecules formed by monomers which are molecules of low
molecular mass.
PROTEINS:
Proteins are the most abundant organic molecule in our body. This is because most
of the functions that our body carries out require proteins.
The main elements (CHONPS) that form proteins are: Carbón, Hydrogen, Oxygen
and Nitrogen.
And depending on the qualities of the protein (R= SIDE CHAIN): Phosphorus or
Sulfide.
FUNCTIONS OF THE PROTEINS->
STRUCTURAL FUNCTION
Proteins provide support and structure to cells and tissues. (Create structures).
- Examples: The collagen (Molecule) is an example, it forms the structure of
the tendons, the ears... Other parts made mainly by proteins with a structural
function in our body are hair, nails, etc.
TRANSPORT FUNCTION
Some proteins are responsible for transporting essential molecules within the body.
- Example:For example, hemoglobin in red blood cells, it transports oxygen and
carbon dioxide.
DEFENSIVE FUNCTION
Proteins play a key role in the immune system.
, - Example: Antibodies are proteins that identify and neutralize pathogens such
as bacteria and viruses. They have the
complementary shape of the ‘’keys’’ of the
viruses (the viruses use these kinds of ‘’keys’’ to
infect our cells)and they neutralize them by
changing the shape of these ‘’keys’’.
REGULATORY FUNCTION
Some proteins are in charge of regulating gene expression.
How do they regulate gene expression?
They are proteins that bind to specific DNA
sequences near to genes to activate or inhibit their
transcription.
HORMONAL FUNCTION
Some hormones are proteins (Hormonal proteins). The function of these types of
proteins is to send ‘’messages’’ from one place to another of the body to produce a
reaction in our body.
- Example: Insulin regulates blood glucose levels.
ENZYMATIC FUNCTION: Enzymes are proteins that act as biocatalysts,
meaning that they catalyze chemical reactions within the body, this means they
accelerate chemical reactions in our body. Enzymes can also break bonds between the
molecules of a substrate.(Chemical reactions last a long time because they need the
right temperature, enough energy, the right position to coalesce, etc so the enzymes
are very important to allow life.)
- Example: For example, the amylase.
